Brick-tongs



C..A. MESSINGER.

BRICK TONGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. I920.

1,364,128. Patented Jan. 4,1921. I

I I I I I I I l I I i .l\ l

avwe ntoz CALVIN A. IIIESSINGEB, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

' BRICK-TONGS.

Specification of Letters Iratent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Application filed March 24, 1920. Serial No. 368,328.

To all to ham it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN A. MnssINsER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Island, county of Rock lsland, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick-Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to brick tongs, that is, to devices for grippmg a plurality of bricks to facilitate handling and carrying the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which will firmly grip the bricks without chipping or crushing the same. A further object of my invention is to provide a device as mentioned which may be readily adjusted to grip a greater or less number of bricks, or bricks or tile of different sizes. Further objects of my invention are to provide a device of the character under consideration which shall be of simple construction, of low cost to manufacture, of comparatively light weight and which will not readily get out of order. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view my invention consists generally in a device of the class mentioned comprising a pair of substantially parallel slidably connected bars, and gripping jaws on the remote ends of said bars, a lever pivotally connected to each of said bars, and bent to form a handle substantially parallel with said bars. My invention further consists in a device as mentioned further characterized by an adjustable connection between said lever and one of said bars whereby the device may be adjusted to vary the width between the jaws. My invention further consists in various de tails of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention, and,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

Referring now to the drawings 1 and 2 indicate a pair of substantially parallel bars, provided on their remote ends with gripping jaws 3 and 4 respectively. The bar 1 is substantially straight throughout its length and is adapted to rest upon the upper faces of the bricks or tile 5 as indicated in Fig. 1. Its inner end, that is, the end opposite the j aw3, is bent upwardly and formed into an eye 6 through which the bar 2 is freely slidable. The bar 2, a short distance from the jaw 4, is bent upwardly and then inwardly as indicated at '2' in order to extend through the eye 6 and be positioned substantially parallel to the bar 1.

Pivotally connected, as at 8, to the bar 1, 1s a lever 9 comprising a substantially vertical bifurcated portion 10, and a horizontal portion 11. The end of the bar 2 extends within the bifurcated portion 10 and is pivotally connected thereto by a removable pin 12. The bar 2- is provided with a series of apertures 13, adjacent its inner end to receive the pin'l2, by which arrangement it is obvious that the distance between the jaws 8 and a may be readily adjusted.

The jaws are broadened, flat faced members which will not injure the surfaces of the bricks or tile. By having the members slidably connected these jaws are brought into contact with the faces of the bricks substantially parallel thereto and hence will not dig into and mar the bricks as is the case with similar devices in which the aws or aw holding devices are pivotally connected. The operation of the device is obvious.

I claim:

1. 1 device of the class described comprising a pair of substantially parallel slidably connected members, jaws on the remote ends of said members and a lever pivotally connected to said members, substantially as described.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the lever comprises a substantially vertical bifurcated portion embracing said members and a horizontal handle portion, substantially as described.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by an adjustable connection between said lever and one of said members substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described comprising a pair of substantially parallel bars, jaws on the remote ends of said bars, an eye on one of said bars through which the other bar is freely slidable and a lever pivotally connected to said bars substantially as described.

5; A device as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by an adjustable connection between said lever and one of said bars.

6. A device of the class described c0mprising a horizontal bar, a j aw on one end thereof, the opposite end of said bar being bent upwardly and provided with an eye, a second bar provided at one end with a jaw, said bar being bent upwardly and then inwardly into substantial parallelism with the first said bar and sliding freely through said eye, a lever pivotally connected to the first said bar and a pivotal connection between said lever and the second mentioned bar substantially as described.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6 in which said lever comprises a bifurcated substantially vertical portion embracing said bars and the horizontal handle portion.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 in which one of said bars is provided with a plurality of apertures and a removable pin extending through said lever and selectively engaging in one of said apertures as and for the purpose specified. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CALVIN A. MES'SINGER. Witnesses: 7

HERMAN STURM, O. E. FRIBIG. 

